Sword of the Spirit

The Sword of the Spirit

     The picture above is probably closer to the type of sword that the Romans used so effectively than the large swords that we commonly see.  They learned that a shorter sword was better in close combat than the long sword.  They probably learned it from the Spanish mercenaries.  During that time any wound could be fatal and when the short sword was used in close range by a skilled soldier it was a deadly weapon.  Spiritually speaking the Bible which is God's word can be a strong weapon in our lives.  If Christ is in our lives then God lives in us by His Spirit (Ephesians 2:22).  If we don't take time to learn God's word and how we can use it, then it's like owning a sword, talking about it, but never knowing how to really use it. 
     This April month I'm encouraging everyone to read through the book of Matthew in the Bible.  That way we can read through the life of Christ.  Easter is at the end of the month so the timing is really good.  Youth & Parents I strongly suggest that we all dive into the book of Matthew today!  Read it separately or together or some of both.  Go For It!

Shield of Faith

“In addition to all of this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16

The shield that Paul talked about might have been something like this one.
It was made of wood, covered with linen & leather and there was a rim covered with brass or bronze metal.  The leather was to be dipped in water before battle so it would not catch fire and it would extinguish the flaming arrows.  The metal rim was to protect against a sword attack on the shield.  The shield was curved to better protect around the soldier.  It could be used individually or in a group.

They could protect or advance toward the enemy with this shield.  The protection was very important when the enemy would shoot hundreds of arrows all at once.  Kind of like in some of the Lord of the Rings scenes when sky was like a rain of arrows.  Without it we are defenseless! 
 
Some of the questions that came up last week were ones like:
"Why is there evil in the world?"  Some answers that were discussed were:

1. People were given free will.  We can choose to accept or reject Jesus.  If we reject Jesus then people open ourselves up to what they think is right. 
2. God's original plan was to live with humans and have relationship with them.  Humans chose to reject God therefore the world changed from the God's original plan. 
3. One youth said that without evil there's no comparison to what is good.  I thought that was an insightful comment. 
4. God can use bad happenings to teach us or so that we would rely on Him instead of ourselves.

 
Another question that we discussed for a while was:
"How do we know that Christianity (following Jesus) is right and other religions wrong?"

1. There's no absolute way to absolutely prove to people that Christianity is true & right, but I believe that there is much more evidence that true Christianity has than any other religion or philosophy of life.  (See the books by Josh McDowell Evidence that demands a verdict 1, 2 & 3 and the list at the end of this blog entry)
2. In most other religions people are trying to be good enough to make it to heaven.  In true Christianity it is God that reaches down to us instead of us reaching up to Him.  Mike Thomas quoted Bill Hybels when he talked about Do vs. Done.  Most people try to "do" enough or do the right things to make it to heaven.  On the other hand, Jesus Christ has "done" the work that we could never do.  Jesus paid for our penalty of sin by dieing as a perfect person without sin and he died on the cross in our place.  Therefore God raised Him from the dead.  So we must truly put our belief and trust in Jesus.  If we truly trust Jesus then our life will focused on living our lives for Him and His purposes and not our own.  Our lives change and in a sense our lives no longer belong to ourselves, but our lives belong to Jesus.

 
Helpful books in the church library (check a book out and learn more about what we studied):
New Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowell



More Than A Carpenter, Josh McDowell
Answers, Josh McDowell
Reasons, Josh McDowell
Case for Christ, Lee Strobel
Case for Faith, Lee Strobel
Case for Easter, Lee Strobel
Can Man Live Without God?, Ravi Zacharias
Jesus Among Other Gods, Ravi Zacharias
Know Why You Believe, Paul Little
Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
Who Moved the Stone?, Frank Morison
Letters From A Skeptic

For all those at FBC, Deacon Mike Thomas has 10 copies of The Reason for God by Timothy Keller (will be in the library soon). Let me know if you want another book suggestion.
Pastor Chris

The Helmet of Salvation

The Helmet of Salvation. 
Key questions for life?

Is there any need for me to be saved? 
Read Romans 3:23

What happens to me, because of my sin?
Read Romans 6:23

How are we saved?
Read Ephesians  2:8-9

What do we become when we accept Christ into our lives and how should we live our lives after we accept Him into our lives?
Read I John 3:1-10

Remember that the helmet of salvation represents two important things
Protection from evil forces and others in the world
Power to overcome sin now and in the future
Check out this music video "Children of God"
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=9C2EE1NU
Also, this incredible video of the forgiveness of God.
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=9CC09MNU

Feet Fitted with the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace

Being ready is one of the most important steps to success in any area. 

We have to ask ourselves a few questions first:
Reflect on these questions:
How much does my faith in Christ mean to me?

Am I willing to give myself fully to the Lord?

Do I know what to tell others so they could know Jesus as Lord and Savior?

Secondly, we need to understand what our situation is and what God has done for us.
Here's the video that we watched last Sunday called "Bird cage" by the skit guys.  It might help you
understand what God has done for you!
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=7Z67KGNX

Try to memorize the 4 pillars of sharing the gospel.

Pillar #1 - GOD
God loves you and created us for a relationship with Him

Pillar #2 - PEOPLE
We are separated from God, because of our sin.
Romans 3:23  (For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God)

Pillar #3 - JESUS
I Peter 3:18 (Christ died for sins once for all)

Pillar #4 - YOU
John 1:12 "To all who received him , he gave the right to become children of God."

If we truly believe that Christ is our Lord and Savior, we will go all out to help others know
that Jesus loves them and died for them.

Watch this final video of people who seem crazy for their Idols or gods!
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=7KLYDWNX
Let me know what you think about it!
Have an awesome week and let God use you to help others know HIM!
Chris